An Unusual Presentation of Catatonia-Like Behavior: Differentiating Malingering from Catatonia

Malingering involves the intentional production of physical or psychological behaviors due to motivation from external incentives, posing unique challenges to healthcare. Although malingering as an entity has been well studied, the current literature does not explore the intentional production of catatonia-like behavior or how to differentiate malingering from catatonia. Here, we describe a 45-year-old female who was admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital with a complex presentation of catatonia-like signs that was ultimately thought to be volitional behavior, resulting in a diagnosis of malingering. We highlight the important factors considered in her presentation, the differences between her behaviors and true catatonia, and other important differential diagnoses to consider. Although a diagnosis of malingering is difficult to make, we underscore the importance of reaching this conclusion in order to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful medical interventions. We stress the importance of shifting focus from medical management to more appropriate patient goals such as providing social services and treatment of other underlying psychiatric illnesses.

Dismissing “Don’t Know” Responses to Perceived Risk Survey Items Threatens the Validity of Theoretical and Empirical Behavior-Change Research

Since the middle of the 20th century, perceptions of risk have been critical to understanding engagement in volitional behavior change. However, theoretical and empirical risk perception research seldom considers the possibility that risk perceptions do not simply exist: They must be formed. Thus, some people may not have formulated a perception of risk for a hazard at the time a researcher asks them, or they may not be confident in the extent to which their perception matches reality. We describe a decade-long research program that investigates the possibility that some people may genuinely not know their risk of even well-publicized hazards. We demonstrate that indications of not knowing (i.e., “don’t know” responses) are prevalent in the U.S. population, are systematically more likely to occur among marginalized sociodemographic groups, and are associated with less engagement in protective health behaviors. “Don’t know” responses are likely indications of genuinely limited knowledge and therefore may indicate populations in need of targeted intervention. This body of research suggests that not allowing participants to indicate their uncertainty may threaten the validity and generalizability of behavior-change research. We provide concrete recommendations for scientists to allow participants to express uncertainty and to analyze the resulting data.

Practical Aspects of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a broadly accepted presurgical mapping tool for pediatric populations with brain pathology. The aim of this article is to provide general guidelines on the pragmatic aspects of performing and processing fMRI, as well as interpreting its results across children of all age groups. Based on the author's accumulated experience of more than 20 years on this specific field, these guidelines consider many factors that include the particular physiology and anatomy of the child's brain, and how specific peculiarities may pose disadvantages or even certain advantages when performing fMRI procedures. The author carefully details the various challenges that the practitioner might face in dealing with limited volitional behavior and language comprehension of infants and small children and remedial strategies. The type and proper choice of task-based paradigms in keeping with the age and performance of the patient are discussed, as well as the appropriate selection and dosage of sedative agents and their inherent limitations. Recommendations about the scanner and settings for specific sequences are provided, as well as the required devices for appropriate stimulus delivery, response, and motion control. Practical aspects of fMRI postprocessing and quality control are discussed. Finally, given the relevance of resting-state-fMRI for use in noncooperative patients, a praxis-oriented guide to obtain, classify, and understand the spontaneous neural networks (utilizing independent component analysis) is also provided. The article concludes with a thorough discussion about the possible pitfalls at different stages of the fMRI process.

Factors Affecting Voluntary Self-Isolation Behavior to Cope with a Pandemic: Empirical Evidence from Colombia vs. Spain in Times of COVID-19

Global pandemics are not a new phenomenon. They have occurred at different points in time and can be of different scales. COVID-19 appeared in 2020 and its spread has reached more than 60 countries worldwide. This research aims to analyze voluntary self-isolation behavior used to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this study, we carried out sampling in Colombia and Spain, which share similar cultural characteristics but which have substantial social and economic differences. A multi-group model was used to test the application of the theory of planned behavior and the theory of reasoned action in order to analyze self-isolation behavior. The results show that there are differences in self-isolation behavior between both countries, especially with regard to attitudes towards self-isolation and volitional behavior.

FACTORS DETERMINING BRAND RESONANCE OF APPLE IPHONE

Building brand resonance in a competitive market can play an active role in the modern marketing arena. It is now widely acknowledged by companies and business enterprises that strong brand resonance will create a competitive advantage in the marketplace that will enhance their overall reputation and credibility.Brand resonance depends on a systematic understanding of the company’s consumers, competitors, and marketing environment. Brand resonance is based on appropriate identity that needs to reflect the marketing strategy and the firm’s willingness to invest in the programs needed for the brand to live up to its promise as well as commitment to consumers. Strong brands take pleasure in consumer loyalty, the possibility to charge premium prices, and extensive brand power to hold up new product and service launches. Companies and business enterprises need to have careful as well as systematic understanding of consumer beliefs, behaviors, product or service characteristics as well as attributes and rivals.The continuous technological innovation creates a competitive scenario where brand loyalty is nullified with the uninterrupted inflow of competitive product varieties and models and the brand resonance effect in terms of relationship that a consumer has with the product and the extent to which consumers feel that they are in „sync‟ with the brand gets alleviated. Brand resonance refers to the nature of heightened brand-centric relationships and is characterized by intense psychological attachment with a brand as well as active, volitional behavior directed toward the brand's benefit.Mobile Users are very interested and eager to purchase Applei phone. This research is analysed the customer perception towards applei phone.

The Neurofunctional Model of Consciousness: The Physiological Interconnectivity of Brain Networks

The present chapter integrates neural networks’ connectivity into a model that explores consciousness and volitional behavior from a neurofunctional perspective. The model poses a theoretical evidenced-based framework that organizes the brain journey of neural information flow from the ascending reticular activating system and non-specific thalamic nuclei, to cortical networks, such as the default mode network and the fronto-parietal network. These inter-connected brain networks can be divided within three hierarchical and inter-connected “functional neural loops”: (1) the “brainstem-thalamic neural loop” for arousal, (2) the “thalamo-cortical neural loop” for neural information distribution throughout the brain, and (3) the “cortico-cortical neural loop” for transforming neural information into the contents of consciousness that the individual can perceive and manipulate voluntarily. These three neural loops act as a global functional neural system, and its disruption due to brain damage can cause a person to experience catastrophic outcomes, such as a coma, a vegetative state, a minimal conscious state, or other cognitive and behavioral impairments.

“No Pain No Gain”: Evidence from a Parcel-Wise Brain Morphometry Study on the Volitional Quality of Elite Athletes

Volition is described as a psychological construct with great emphasis on the sense of agency. During volitional behavior, an individual always presents a volitional quality, an intrapersonal trait for dealing with adverse circumstances, which determines the individual’s persistence of action toward their intentions or goals. Elite athletes are a group of experts with superior volitional quality and, thereby, could be regarded as the natural subject pool to investigate this mental trait. The purpose of this study was to examine brain morphometric characteristics associated with volitional quality by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Scale of Volitional Quality. We recruited 16 national-level athletes engaged in short track speed skating and 18 healthy controls matched with age and gender. A comparison of a parcel-wise brain anatomical characteristics of the healthy controls with those of the elite athletes revealed three regions with significantly increased cortical thickness in the athlete group. These regions included the left precuneus, the left inferior parietal lobe, and the right superior frontal lobe, which are the core brain regions involved in the sense of agency. The mean cortical thickness of the left inferior parietal lobe was significantly correlated with the independence of volitional quality (a mental trait that characterizes one’s intendency to control his/her own behavior and make decisions by applying internal standards and/or objective criteria). These findings suggest that sports training is an ideal model for better understanding the neural mechanisms of volitional behavior in the human brain.